According to the Associated Press, crewmembers of the boats allegedly caught at least 32 sharks and cut off their dorsal fins.

The boats were intercepted in waters off Australia’s northeast coast.

According to the AP, one boat found with 30 shark fins and seven crewmembers on board was being escorted to Darwin. Another vessel, with five crew and two sets of shark fins, was also intercepted, an Australian Fisheries Management Authority spokesman reportedly said on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately known if charges would be brought in the case.

Shark fin is a delicacy in Asia, selling for between $40 and $50 a kilogram (2.2 pounds) in Asian markets.

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.